Because I have not written all summer long, I could probably make four separate posts out of this if I really went into detail, but I'll spare the details for in-person conversations and will try to keep this relatively brief!
SUMMER RECAP
My family and I traveled back to Michigan this past June & July. Matt-being a school employee-has the summer "off" anyway, and we were already planning to visit before we had decided to just stay the duration of his time off. So we packed up our RV and went.
We worked at Warner Camp doing "this and that" as they needed, and camped all summer out there as well. It is such a peaceful, beautiful, and fun place to be--outside of the pesky mosquitos. The grounds, events, and the people are prayed over daily. To me it has always been a place of renewal, relaxation, and drawing closer to God, and that's just what it was... plus a lot of work. (P.S. If you are looking to book a retreat (year-round availability), or just go camping in your tent or RV, check out www.warnercamp.com!) We did office work, cleaned bathrooms, life-guarded (Matt got trained for that!), assisted in music/worship, assisted the head-chef in the kitchen, etc. But most importantly, we had many little gatherings and conversations, some of them planned, some of them spontaneous. This--this--is what my soul was longing for: encouragement in the faith through the body of believers.
I can't possibly thank each person we had a meaningful conversation with, but I am full of gratitude for the openness and willingness these people had to share what God is doing in their lives. It's not always pretty... often ministry is messy and hard to navigate through. It doesn't always look how we though it would. But the constant through it all is our sovereign God and his goodness and faithfulness to his people. The way he works through the body of Christ (the church) is a truly beautiful thing.
Special thanks to:
Rachel & Joe Green
Mary & Brant Porter
Mary & Nick Deitrich
Katie Deitrich
Gary Bannister
Tim Foreman
Ken Walters
Bill Greiner
The Birdsongs
And of course, our amazing parents!
WHAT I LEARNED
God shined light on several things, as Matt and I have discussed, not all of which I will share in this post. In talking to these people, many whom serve in church-ministry, we gained much insight. The theme that we heard throughout this string of conversations was that God was indeed working in the lives of these people, and he was/is beginning to pour out something new. It seemed like in every situation, there had been some kind of revelation, conflict (which isn't always bad), and/or shift in the status-quo. The verses that come to mind are these:
Isaiah 43:19 - "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Mark 2:22 - "And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins."
I truly believe that God is doing a new thing in his church. He isn't doing my thing or your thing--but a new thing that HE has planned. Do you and I have a willingness to press into what this is? Are we seeking him as intently as we should? (I know I have much room to grow!) This is why it is SO important for people who love Jesus to be regularly renewing their minds (Romans 12:2) & transforming into someone who is more Christ-like. And until the Lord gives us the next instruction or the next assignment, we must be faithful to him and seek him even more in the waiting.
In a devotion today, I read something about "the waiting" that struck a chord with me. It was called "Waiting Well." The question asked was something like this: "Do you want more of God and what God wants for you, or do you want more of what you want?"
Yikes. That really put it into perspective. Somehow I've gotten so greedy with wanting "what I want" more than I want Jesus himself. I'm so thankful the Lord showed me that today, because my unbalanced desire for "stuff" is not how it should be! God, in this waiting period, help me to desire more of YOU, and less of the stuff I want.
May we all be willing to take a look at ourselves, get the plank out of our own eye before removing the speck in another's, and press into what God is doing right in your own backyard. Because if the Lord isn't leading it, it will be in vain. If the Lord is leading it, watch out world! Miracles, health & restoration, strength & wisdom, and changed lives will be witnessed! That's what the church is about--following the Lord's leading to love and serve others--not about organized religion/gatherings.
BACK AT IT
So now that we are back in Phoenix, Matt continues to work for the school system. I have gotten a job as a substitute teacher, and am waiting on another job as well, and the kids are in a Charter school. Oh how I would love to be homeschooling still. God knows that. And I believe He will allow us to do that again in the future. But for now, this is what it needs to be. We are continuing to serve at Arise Church, and build community with those around us.
Honestly? Life isn't easy. Parenting is hard. Our financial and living situation are challenging. Our systems in place are not what we'd like them to be. BUT... there are many good moments. We are thankful for God's provision. We are thankful for the closeness of our family. And so we praise Him! Whether we have a little or a lot, he is good. Whether he gives or takes, he is good. Whether we are sick or healthy, he is good. Whether prayer is answered as we hoped or not, he is good.
I am going to continue to seek him more, and make sure I am "waiting well." God is good. He is doing yet a new thing! May the church be attentive and ready to change as the Lord leads. And if you find yourself in the waiting period, I pray you will seek him with your whole heart and wait well until the next phase. And just know that while you are waiting, God isn't sitting idly by. No. He is indeed working. Remember that he works ALL things for the GOOD of those who love him (Rom. 8:28). Please let me know how I can pray for you! Comment here, send me a FB message, or shoot me a text.
Thanks for doing life with us. Thanks for supporting and encouraging us. Thanks for praying for us. We are thankful for you--our friends and family!
With much love,
Tori
